'n Ondersoek na entrepreneuriese oriëntering by geselekteerde openbare skole in Gauteng / Malan, J.H.

• Main Author: Malan, Jan Harm
• Published: North-West University 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/7051

The competitive landscape in which South African public schools operate today is marked by intense competition. Intensifying demands for quality education on the one hand and the lack of government to adhere on the other hand put further pressure on schools to change. Due to the dynamic nature of schools, it is imperative that schools remain receptive to new ideas, approaches and attitudes. Public schools face various challenges including a lack of entrepreneurial spirit and a fragmented approach regarding their visions, missions and strategic thrust. Corporate entrepreneurship is characterised by individuals who are innovative, creative, spend time on new ideas and take risks. To support these entrepreneurial activities, the school needs a climate and culture that is beneficial to these activities. An entrepreneurial orientation within an organisation is marked by dimensions such as innovativeness, pro–activeness, risk–taking, competitive aggressiveness and autonomy. The entrepreneurial behaviour among school principals and school management teams is most critical to the effective implementation of corporate entrepreneurship. They are in a position to influence their subordinates' commitment to entrepreneurial activities once they have been initiated. The primary objective of this study was the assessment of intrapreneurship and the prevalence of the five dimensions of an entrepreneurial orientation within achieving public schools and to assess the necessity of these dimensions for future success. The study also identified success factors within education and successful schools and correlates these factors with the dimensions of entrepreneurship. A number of secondary objectives were set to support the attainment of the primary objective. Educators within five achieving school were selected to participate in the study. A comprehensive literature study was conducted, which was followed by an empirical study. By means of a questionnaire the possible inclination of the five entrepreneurial dimensions were tested within the five selected public schools. Furthermore, relationships were determined between the entrepreneurial constructs and the success factors which were identified in the study. The central theme of the study was to formulate and test hypotheses regarding the correlation between the entrepreneurial dimensions and the educational success factors. Following upon a detailed analysis of data in chapter 4, it was concluded that educators regarded the current entrepreneurial climate at public schools as being average. Based on the findings of the empirical study and the insight gained during the literature study, recommendations were made on fostering intrapreneurship within public schools. === Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.